Anthony Lakes Serves Baker County Year-Round Alpine Recreation Needs

Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort and the surrounding U.S. Forest Service lands form the principal alpine recreation hub for Baker County residents and visitors. The resort operates seasonal lift service for downhill skiing, maintains a lodge with basic amenities and grooms Nordic trails while offering access to a broad network of summer and winter backcountry trailheads across the northern Elkhorn Mountains.

The U.S. Forest Service maintains nearby campgrounds, posts trail information and enforces winter-season rules that include over-the-snow vehicle restrictions and day-use fees. Those institutional roles shape access and the cost of recreation: users encounter managed facilities at the resort and regulatory requirements on Forest Service land that affect snowmobile access, vehicle use, and overnight camping in winter conditions.

Anthony Lakes also functions as a year-round trailhead for hikes on the Elkhorn Crest and the Blue Mountains Trail, providing close-to-home opportunities for skiing, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, hiking and mountain biking for Baker City and surrounding communities. The site’s terrain and trail network support both groomed, patrolled recreation and unpatrolled backcountry travel, which carries different safety expectations and personal responsibility for avalanche awareness.

Practical considerations matter for local planning. Weather and snowpack routinely affect resort operations, so residents should check resort hours and lift or ticket status before driving. The approach road is steep and requires motorists to plan for mountain driving; the Forest Service and resort maintain pages with directions and seasonal access notes. Visitors intending to travel beyond patrolled areas should be avalanche-aware and carry appropriate gear, since much of the backcountry is unpatrolled.

Economically, Anthony Lakes contributes to local tourism and outdoor activity access for Baker County, supporting lodging, day trips and outdoor service providers. Institutionally, the split between resort operations and Forest Service management underscores the importance of clear communication on rules, fees and seasonal restrictions to avoid unsafe conditions or regulatory violations.

For residents and visitors planning a trip, consult the resort and U.S. Forest Service information for the latest operating status, route directions and winter rules, and prepare for steep mountain roads and unpatrolled alpine conditions. More information is available at cityofunion.com/directory/anthony-lakes/.